module #3 Pine Species for Silvopasture

1. module #3 Pine Species for Silvopasture Pine Silvopasture in the Southeast

2. Pine species for Silvopasture • The three pine species most recommended for silvopasture are: • Loblolly pine (Pinustaeda) • Slash pine (Pinuselliottii) • Longleaf pine (Pinuspalustris) • Local soil, site, and climate conditions will dictate which species is best suited for your silvopasture. However, each of these species can produce high quality timber when managed properly. It is important to plant fusiform rust resistant seedlings for loblolly and slash pines. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 2/13

3. Loblolly Pine Loblolly pine (Pinustaeda) is the most commonly planted commercial pine species in the southeast and has the fastest growth of the pine species. Improved varieties of loblolly are also available to reduce rotation length. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 3/13

4. Loblolly Pine Loblolly is best suited for well-drained upland areas or clay soils in much of the southeastern US. It is the most versatile species in regards to range and site conditions Loblolly also has the largest range of the southern pines. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 4/13

5. Loblolly Pine Other considerations: • Produces larger branches that require more frequent pruning • Produces more shade which may influence forage selection • Can reach harvestable size for chip-and-saw and saw timber from 22-35 years in a well-managed silvopasture system. • Thinning for silvopasture management can also yield pulpwood at 12-15 years which can help defray management costs such as pruning. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 5/13

6. Slash Pine Slash pine is suited for the more poorly drained sandy soils of the southeastern coastal plains. It is considered an ideal silvopasture species because it self-prunes and produces less shade than loblolly which can benefit forage. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 6/13

7. Slash Pine Slash pine has a more limited range and site conditions than loblolly. It grows best in low-lying areas with good soil moisture but adequate drainage. It does not perform well in heavy clay soils nor deep, dry sandy soils. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 7/13

8. Slash Pine • Other considerations • Smaller branches susceptible to ice damage in northern latitudes • Can yield good pine straw production • Not as fire tolerant as longleaf pine—more careful burning required • Can yield chip and saw and saw timber from 22-35 years {Lecture 3a} Slide: 8/13

9. Longleaf Pine Longleaf pine produces very high quality timber when properly managed. Longleaf has traditionally had a longer rotation cycle than other pines. However, with proper burning and/or herbicide use, longleaf seedlings can escape their “grass stage” and initiate height growth sooner to reduce rotation length. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 9/13

10. Longleaf Pine Longleaf used to cover around 2/3 of the southeast and can be planted on a wide variety of sites. It is well-suited for dry and infertile soils, but does not grow well in flooded, saturated, or heavy clay soils. {Lecture 3a} Slide: 10/13

11. Longleaf Pine Site preparation is important to remove competition. Burning, herbicide control, and/or scalping the soil will help longleaf establish quicker. Seedlings planted in the late fall tend to survive and grow better due to reduced competition. For more information on longleaf establishment: http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/publications/fm39.pdf {Lecture 3a} Slide: 11/13

12. Longleaf Pine Other considerations Can begin yielding chip-and-saw and saw timber from 30-45 years Produces high-quality pine straw for additional income {Lecture 3a} Slide: 12/13

13. Summary • Loblolly, slash, and longleaf pines are the three recommended species for pine silvopasture. Each of these species has distinct production and growth characteristics • Species choice should be based on site conditions such as climate and soil type {Lecture 3a} Slide: 13/13